Chris Guillebeau's Blog, page 88

“Travel May Seem Impossible, But It’s Not”: On the Road with Susan Shain

This is a travel hacking case study. ( Read others or nominate yourself . )

One of Susan’s many freelance gigs is “Travel Coach”—which involves helping people see the possibilities of incorporating travel into their life. We asked her to share more.

Tell us about yourself.

Since 2008, I’ve been working seasonal jobs, then exploring the world during the off season, using travel hacking to get the most bang for my buck. During my trips, I work as a travel blogger and digital strategist— and I’m passi...

Do You Have to Take a Terrible Job Just Because You Went to College?

I often enjoy the Ethicist column by Chuck Klosterman. A recent column posed an interesting question:

“Do I have an ethical duty to find a better job even if I’m unhappy with the work?”

The letter writer explained that his or her parents had funded a college education, but it had only led to what was described as a “soul-crushing job.”

It won’t surprise regular readers that I agree with the Ethicist, who told the letter writer that they weren’t “ethically obligated to live your life in a way yo...

Eating in Restaurants Alone

I eat at restaurants by myself all over the world. Most of the time it doesn’t bother me—in fact, I often enjoy it.

A few tips:

Bring something to do. I usually have my Tom Bihn laptop bag, so I have plenty of choices: actual laptop, New Yorker or Economist magazine, my paper notebook, reference notes for a project, and of course my phone. I don’t want to just sit there and stare while everyone else is talking to each other.

Make friends with the host or maître d’. I don’t mean ask for their nu...

Johannesburg Shongololo Lounge (7 hour stay!)

I love airline lounges and regularly spend four or more hours at a time working from them. This series explores some of my favorites from around the world.

On an average afternoon in Johannesburg’s OR Tambo airport, you can see all kinds of travelers attempting to sleep on the floor or in chairs throughout the terminal. But there’s a better way!

Many lounges are branded and staffed entirely by one airline. Lufthansa’s First Class Terminal is strictly for their passengers. Cathay’s The Wing is s...

The Craft of Editing a Very Short Story

Lydia Davis, an author of “very short stories” for more than 40 years, described her editing process in feature for The Atlantic. The image above contains the original handwritten text. She then made these edits:

1. The two dogs and two cats, as well as the mice, were part of my real situation, but I probably felt that they lessened the ominousness of the story, and certainly that the lack of “acknowledgement” of the mice was chatty and distracting.

2. The addition of “where they cowered in” a...

Giveaway: Women’s Amenity Kit from Etihad

Every Friday is giveaway day. Comment to win!

I recently flew Etihad from Los Angeles to Abu Dhabi—their longest route! Thankfully, I had a nice comfy seat suite courtesy of American Airlines miles.

As part of the trip, I received a nice amenity kit, and this time I asked for the women’s version. I have plenty of amenity kits in my house, so this one can be yours.

What you need to know:

A while back, we gave away a male amenity kit from Cathay Pacific, so we’re mixing it up this time. Anyone ca...

6 Discoveries From Near and Far, Volume VI

I. Around the World

Things I found on long walks in foreign cities, or perhaps when someone posted them on Twitter.

Dinner in New York — A photographer documents a shift from eating as a primary activity to a secondary activity

The Life of a Professional Race Pacer — Behind-the-scenes of a highly unconventional (and short-term) career

One Week Without the Kids — A working mother takes a vacation by herself

Final Voyage of the Costa Concordia — Sad but breathtaking photos

Go F*@!ing Do It — An accou...

Special Offer: Pre-Order The Happiness of Pursuit & Receive a Ton of FREE Stuff

As mentioned last week, my new book will be published on September 9—less than 21 days from today!

Short version of this post: if you’re able to pre-order the book, that will greatly help it debut well. All orders are appreciated, even single copies, but we’re offering a number of bonuses and a lot of “free stuff” in the form of gift certificates to those who pick up a bundle with multiple copies.

Buy 10 Copies

Buy 50 Copies

Buy 100 Copies

Buy 250 Copies

More news below for those who care…

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On Wr...

Nobody But Yourself

“To be nobody-but-yourself—in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else—means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” -ee cummings

Limited Time 70,000 Hotel Points Offer — Ending Soon

Link: 70,000 Points for Marriott Card

For the next 20 or so hours (or less, depending on when you’re reading this), you can still earn an improved signup bonus on this card.

I first wrote about this offer several weeks ago. Here’s what I said:

Marriott isn’t my favorite hotel program (that would be Starwood and Hyatt), but this new offer is worth a look for the free nights you’ll earn right away. They used to provide 50,000 points upon signup, but for a limited time—we don’t know for how long—y...